Former UNH librarian leaves school $4 million gift

According to school officials, “few knew” that Morin had amassed such a large estate.

Robert Morin

UNH

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A UNH librarian who died last year after spending more than 50 years working on the campus had one last gift to the school he so prodigiously served: a $4 million donation.

Robert Morin, himself a class of 1961 graduate from the school, was known to “live simply” according to a press release from the university. He died at the age of 77 in March of 2015.

According to school officials, “few knew” that Morin had amassed such a large estate. Morin’s financial advisor told The Union Leader that, despite being a millionaire, he “never went out,” drove an older car and often ate frozen dinners.

“Bob’s demonstrated commitment to UNH through his philanthropy is tremendously inspiring,” school president Mark Huddleston said in a statement.

“His generous gift allows us to address a number of university priorities. As an alumnus Bob would be pleased to know that a majority of his estate, $2.5 million, will help to launch an expanded and centrally located career center for our students and alumni. We are committed to providing the resources needed to ensure every student achieves professional success and Bob’s gift will play a major role in that effort.”

Another $1 million will support a video scoreboard for the new football stadium, as well as the only dedicated gift in Morin’s bequest: a $100,000 grant to the campus’s Dimond Library.

The funds will provide scholarships for work-study students, support staff members who study library sciences and will renovate one of the facility’s multimedia rooms.